2024 Interview with Anderson County (KY) Head Coach David Buchanan

 Note: I met coach Buchanan back in his days at Mason County and he has allowed me three interviews.

Name: David Buchanan

Anderson County HS

Positions HFC: Paris, Mason, Mercer, Anderson

College Centre

Would you share with everyone your coaching career, from your first job up to your current position?

Mercer Assistant, 1986-1987

Paris Assistant, 1988-1991

Paris HFC, 1992-1995

Mason HFC, 1996-2014
Mercer HFC, 2015-2021
Anderson HFC, 2023-Present

What made you take the Anderson County job?

My second interview lasted at least two hours. We were able to continue those talks over the week and were able to get on the same page and have the same vision for the football program. I really like the Anderson administration, and they have followed through on what they said they would do. The first time I was on that field was in 1971. I was with my dad, who was the HFC at Boyle County. Over the past 50 years, I have been around that program. When I got the job, it was a huge challenge, like going to Mason & Mercer. I like challenges.

Looking back on your first meeting with the players at Anderson County, what was the first thing you said to your new team?

One day, one rep, one play at a time, we are going to do our best. That will be our focus. 

From last year to right now, what have been the biggest changes that you have seen inside the program?

Confidence. The more you work and prepare, the more confident you will be. 

How important is it to you that all of the lower levels throughout the program play a full schedule?

Critical. We are working like crazy to build a youth program. We also have a separate freshman program, and that is going very well. 

When you are in a blowout-type game, when do you pull the starters?

Not a set answer. What we will do is always what is best for our program. 

What mark do you believe the 2024 class has left on the football program?

We had six seniors, but they were super into fighting it out. They definitely helped to begin the process of changing our mindset. It was a big adjustment for them, but they hung in there. 

All-Star games in some states seem to be a dying thing. What are your thoughts on those games, and should Kentucky have more than they do?

I loved the old KY-TN game in June and was fortunate to coach in three of them. Between NIL and all the transfers, those are a thing of the past. Who knows? They may come back at some point. I miss them, but they just don't fit in this environment. 

Schools in all the states I go to are seeing fewer kids come out for football. As a head coach, what do you do to try and get the students to come out for the team?

Building a great staff is the starting point. You make sure that kids and families see great opportunities for player development. Your program must be active on social media, and we must be invested in the feeder programs. We do a recruit night with the incoming freshman, connected to a high school basketball game. We feed them, introduce our program, and our academic advisor talks to the potential players and their families. We also fire the NIKE bullet. Kids love Nike, and we use it every chance we get. We also document or make contacts with college programs so that families know we are working like dogs to help their son get recruited. 

What are your biggest concerns heading into the 2024 season?

Depth. We have to stay healthy. 

As the head coach, what do you do to help your players get recruited?

We constantly stay in contact with college coaches and ask for evaluations. Right now, that list is over 30 colleges. I am old. In most of those programs, a coach from that program is on my phone.

Can you let the readers know the players from the 2024 class that will be moving on to play ball in college, along with the name of the school?

Tyler Meacham is going to Rose-Hulman! He was all-district and a team captain as well. 

What is your go-to snack?

Hype Nutrition Protein Shake in Lawrenceburg, KY

What was the last book you read?

Reread RUN TO DAYLIGHT by Vince Lombardi. An annual preseason rite. 

Are you a horse racing fan?

No, sorry. Lol